Guided Almaty City Tour with Zenkov Cathedral & Green Bazaar | Day Trip Departing Locally [No Horse Riding]

• People who love magnificent nature and animals
• People looking for real connections with local people and deep cultural experiences, not just sightseeing
• People who want to see Kyrgyzstan's spectacular scenery with their own eyes
• People who want to get away from everyday life and have an adventure
• People who want to leave the detailed arrangements to a guide and travel smoothly and worry-free

Cancellation is free for a certain period after you apply, but cancellation fees apply as the departure date approaches.

From 18:01, 21 days before the tour start, to 18:00, 10 days before: 20% of the tour price

From 18:01, 10 days before the tour start, to 18:00, 3 days before: 30% of the tour price

From 18:01, 3 days before the tour start, until the start time on the day: 50% of the tour price

After the start time on the day of the tour: 100% of the tour price

ASHU TRAVEL basically has no fixed tour dates; we run tours on the dates you choose. However, we also have a “shared tour” system where you join a tour another guest has already booked, and in that case we recruit participants for set dates.

Learn more here:
https://ashu-travel.com/en/news/travel-mate/

Yes. With support in Japanese and a guide who speaks Japanese or English accompanying you, many female guests travel with us. Lots of our guests are women, and some join on their own and find fellow riders through our shared tour matching.

What is a shared tour?
https://ashu-travel.com/en/news/travel-mate/

It's a way to travel at a better price: by sharing the vehicle and guide with other guests, the tour price per person goes down.

For more details, see here:

https://ashu-travel.com/en/news/travel-mate/

The price changes depending on the final number of participants. The more people join, the cheaper it gets, and if someone cancels it may go up. The final price is fixed 3 weeks before departure. So that you can join with peace of mind, the price does not change even if the number of participants goes up or down within those 3 weeks.

For more details, see here:

https://ashu-travel.com/en/news/travel-mate/

The tour will run at the single-traveler price. You'll have the guide all to yourself, so enjoy it as a private tour. Date changes and cancellations follow our cancellation policy, so please contact us before any cancellation fees apply.

It varies from person to person and with your physical condition, but some people feel unwell at high altitudes. When our Japanese staff first visited Kaindy and Kolsai, combined with the fatigue of the hilly roads, they felt dizzy even on a light hike.

If you're prone to motion sickness or are traveling with young children, it's a good idea to consult your doctor beforehand and get motion sickness or altitude sickness medication prescribed. On the tour we'll go at a comfortable pace, so don't worry.

On shared tours, sharing meals and travel time together often leads naturally to getting to know each other.

Yes. If you let us know in advance, we will adjust as much as possible.

Here are the operational rules we ask you to follow during the tour.

No exchanging contact details with guides or drivers

To prevent problems during and after the tour, exchanging personal contact details with guides or drivers is not allowed. For any inquiries, please contact our director Nuriya or our Japanese staff member Sugi, whose details are in your email.

Drinking with staff: one beer at most

You're welcome to drink during the tour, but for your own health, please limit drinking with local staff to about one beer.

Return transfers

For early-morning transfers to Bishkek or the airport, there may be only a driver and no guide. Please confirm your drop-off location and time with your guide or staff by the day before.

Changes may be unavoidable due to weather, road conditions or safety reasons.

Central Asian food is oilier than Japanese food, so avoid drinking cold water after eating meat dishes and drink plenty of hot tea instead.

The food in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is especially oily.

Yes. We have tours featuring frozen winter lakes, winter sports, and experiencing the unique way of life in winter.

Of course. From airport transfers to support throughout the entire trip, everything is set up so that even first-time visitors can relax and enjoy themselves.

You're welcome to arrive a few days before or stay after the tour and explore freely on your own.

In Almaty, for example, you can ride the city cable car, visit museums, or venture a bit farther to the stunning Charyn Canyon.

We can also suggest optional day trips or 2-day/1-night tours to suit your interests. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

The best season varies greatly depending on the country you visit.

■ Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan

June to September is the most popular season. The cities are hot, but the mountains and lakes are lush and green, and at high altitudes you can enjoy horse riding, escaping the summer heat in the highlands, stargazing and more.

Rural Kyrgyzstan in particular has many high-altitude areas, so it stays relatively comfortable even in summer.

In winter, you can also enjoy horse trekking through snowy landscapes and skiing, and ASHU TRAVEL runs winter tours as well.

■ Uzbekistan

Spring (March to mid-June) and autumn (September to October) are the best seasons.

The weather is mild at these times, ideal for visiting ancient cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara.

August, on the other hand, is extremely hot, and sightseeing can be difficult, especially in the central and western regions where deserts stretch out.

You can enjoy local home cooking and traditional dishes such as lagman (noodles), plov (rice pilaf) and shashlik (grilled skewers).

Don't worry — your guide will accompany you and walk you through the procedures.

Japanese nationals can enter visa-free for short tourist stays. Visa requirements depend on your nationality, so please check the rules for your passport.

It is generally safe, but watch out for pickpockets in bazaars and other crowded places. Please avoid going out alone at night.

It's not particularly strict, but please check your passport's expiration date (remaining validity).

The voltage in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan is 220V (50Hz). Japan uses 100V, so the voltage is different.

Most smartphone and laptop chargers support "100–240V" (check the label on the device or AC adapter). In that case, you can use them without a transformer—you'll only need a plug adapter.

On the other hand, 100V-only appliances (such as some hair dryers and hair straighteners) may break or overheat if plugged in directly, so you'll need a transformer.

Type C and Type F plugs are standard, so please bring a plug adapter as well.

We ask guests to book their own flights, but we're happy to advise on recommended flights and routes.

There are three things.

First, you need a phone number to register for Yandex. Please buy a SIM card that comes with a phone number—you can't register with a data-only SIM.

Second, when entering your destination, it's best to copy and paste the place name in Russian. Once, we typed a destination in English, chose one of the suggested results, and called a taxi—only to be taken somewhere completely different.

Finally, when traveling to another city, book through "City to city" rather than the usual "Where to go." For example, Almaty and Korday (at the border) are different cities, so if you're heading to Almaty, the ride may not be available unless you use "City to city."

① Don't photograph the border buildings

Photography is prohibited in the border area and you may be fined, so keep your camera and phone put away.

*The photos used in this column were taken well before reaching the border.

② Stay close to the person in front of you in line

Many people cross the border for business and carry lots of goods, and if there's a gap in the line, people may keep cutting in.

It's fine to let elderly people or families with children go ahead, but they inevitably take time, and people keep cutting in with large loads of luggage.

It's different from what you might be used to at home, so don't leave gaps—stay close to the person in front of you while you wait.

③ Plan ahead around Kyrgyz and Kazakh holidays

From around May 1 to May 10, Kyrgyzstan has a long holiday period, similar to Golden Week in Japan.

There have even been reports of border crossings taking over 2 hours during this time. When holidays or long weekends fall during your trip, allow plenty of extra time.

Yes. It fits in the car. However, a smaller bag is handy for getting around during riding.

Some bazaars and rural supermarkets accept cash only, so we recommend bringing about $50 to exchange. You can exchange it yourself, or your guide can help you exchange what you need at the airport or in town.

Cards are generally accepted in cities, but some places in rural areas and bazaars are cash only. We recommend bringing about $50. Your guide will help you exchange money.

Credit cards can't be used to pay the tour price, but you can use them for shopping locally. However, many bazaars and rural supermarkets accept cash only. We recommend bringing about $50 in cash for souvenirs and water (we'll help you exchange it into local currency).

Tipping isn't mandatory in Central Asia, but there is a culture of tipping as a token of appreciation.

Restaurants & cafes : More and more places now include a service charge, and prices are rising. If you receive excellent service, about 5–10% of the total is a good guideline. Some cafes have a jar for leaving coins. Even just leaving some coins on the table is appreciated.

In Uzbekistan, service charges are often not included at lunch but may already be included at dinner. We recommend checking the receipt when you pay. A translation app comes in handy.

Meals are generally included on ASHU TRAVEL tours, so you don't need to worry about this individually.

Hotels : For a porter carrying your luggage or for room service, about $1–2 is a good guideline.

Guides & drivers : Many guests give a tip at the end of the tour as thanks. About $10 per day is a guideline, but the thought counts more than the amount.

Taxis : With Yandex Go, you can choose a tip in the app right before getting out (10 som, 20 som, etc.). Tipping isn't customary in shared taxis.

You can exchange money in Almaty and Bishkek.

You can exchange it yourself at the airport or during your stay, or we can stop at an exchange office while traveling.

Please note that since you'll be traveling with other guests on the tour, we can't take individual guests to exchange offices with the best rates.

Unfortunately, exchange offices near the Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan borders generally don't exchange Japanese yen.

It's difficult not only near the border but in town as well…. Once, when I forgot to bring dollars from Japan, I managed to exchange yen after a lot of pleading, but the rate was so bad that I lost quite a bit.

When you come to Central Asia, be sure to bring US dollars! You can exchange Kyrgyz som and Kazakh tenge at exchange offices near the border too.

Please bring US dollar bills that are crisp and clean, with no wrinkles or stains!

Light folds are fine, but badly wrinkled or dirty bills may be refused for exchange locally (how strict they are varies a lot from shop to shop). We appreciate your cooperation.

The air is very dry and the sun is strong, so we recommend bringing moisturizer, lip balm, sunglasses and a hat.

It's also a good idea to prepare the following:

• Altitude sickness / motion sickness medication: The tour passes through high-altitude areas, so if you have any health concerns, please consult your doctor in advance
• Power bank: There are few places to charge in highland areas such as Song-Kul Lake. Please bring one that can be taken in carry-on luggage
• Translation app: In shared taxis or when exploring on your own, sometimes only the local language is spoken
• Personal medications: Pain-relief patches and painkillers also help with sore muscles after riding
• Insect repellent: July and August are the buggiest months
• Cash (US dollars): Tour prices are generally paid in US dollars cash locally. You can exchange money at the airports and in town in Almaty and Bishkek
• Check your passport's remaining validity: At least 6 months of validity is required for entry

Kazakh and Russian.

In cities (such as Almaty) you can often get by in English, but Russian is the main language.

Yes, heated tobacco products such as Ploom TECH and IQOS are widely sold in Kazakhstan. In cities like Almaty, you should be able to find your usual brand easily in shopping malls and supermarkets.

They are also sold in some shopping malls and supermarkets in Kyrgyzstan, but fewer stores carry them than in Kazakhstan. If you use a specific type of stick (tobacco refill), we recommend stocking up a little extra in Kazakhstan.

In many places you can't flush toilet paper (please put it in the bin provided), so please be careful.

Yes. There's no need to force yourself to finish. Simply saying “I'm full” is not considered rude.

Yes. In Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan alike, there are mobile carrier counters right after immigration.

They're marked “SIM,” so they're easy to spot.

Many staff speak basic English and will set it up for you. You'll need your passport, and setup takes about 15 minutes.

Yes, at Manas Airport, Tashkent Airport, Almaty Airport and others.

However, the connection can be unstable.

Also, in Kazakhstan you need a local phone number to connect to Wi-Fi, whether at the airport or in cafes.

Yes, you can buy one at the airport or at SIM shops in town.

At the airport, every country has SIM booths right after immigration, and the staff will set it up on the spot, so you can use the internet as soon as you leave the airport. Prices are around $10–20 depending on the plan. At the airport in Kyrgyzstan, staff will approach you in English.

In town, you'll find shops such as “O!”, “MEGA” and “Beeline” in shopping malls and department stores. They can be a little cheaper than at the airport.

Wherever you buy, you'll need your passport, and the process takes about 15 minutes.

On independent trips or private tours, your guide can help. However, on tours with several guests, if many people want to buy a SIM it can squeeze the itinerary, so we recommend buying one yourself at the airport.

Note that if you plan to use Yandex Go, you can't register with a data-only SIM. Please buy a SIM that comes with a phone number.

It works in some countries, but if you want a reliable connection, we recommend buying a local SIM.

Here's what we've found based on our staff's actual experience (updated May 2026).

[Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan]

In cities such as Almaty and Tashkent, major eSIMs bought online in Japan worked.

In rural mountain areas and on some stretches between Almaty and the border, there is simply no signal in places.

[Kyrgyzstan]

We've tried eSIMs bought in Japan (such as povo and Holafly) in many places, and many times, even when the phone showed a connection, the speed was so slow that pages wouldn't load.

A local SIM connects without problems, although there are places in rural mountain areas with no signal at all.

Song-Kul has had mobile coverage since 2025, and you can now connect there with a local SIM.

[Things to note when buying a SIM]

• eSIMs differ by country, so if you're touring several countries over a long period, you'll need to buy one in each country. Alternatively, you can buy a global eSIM for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and buy a local SIM in Kyrgyzstan.

• Yandex Go requires a SIM with a phone number; you can't register with a data-only SIM.